Scripture reference: Luke 7:23-30
I have recently thought about the words, “Fall away.” Beth explains in the devotion today about the Greek meaning of falling away. The word in Greek for it is: “skandalon” which means “a cause of stumbling.” When you put this in context of the scripture it means the following: “The Hand of God is at work directing divine purpose, or blessing, in all the affairs of the one who doesn’t let the perceived activity or inactivity of Christ trap him or make him stumble.” Beth states she feels it is pertaining to or “falling over a stumbling block into a trap.” Not “falling away from Christ.” The main thing is to follow Christ and listen to His voice and you won’t have to worry about it. The Bible says you are “blessed.”
This devotion joins hand in hand with Angie’s from yesterday. After seeing the doubt that John seemed to struggle with, but yet he held on. He was having a “I believe, but help mine unbelief” kind-of-day. John had his questions, but Jesus had patience with him.
Not many months ago we began a fierce spiritual battle in our lives, and I remember my teenage daughter making a simple statement to me. It gave me a gentle nudge that my God is bigger than any circumstance we may face. She said, “Momma, if God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it.” I stopped dead in my tracks and was reminded, He knows the beginning and the end, and our circumstances did not catch Him off guard! Maybe you need to be reminded today: “He’s in the midst of your storm.” And maybe you need to know, His arms are underneath you holding you up!
Beth also mentioned that when Jesus said, “the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he,” Jesus was talking prophetically speaking. Comparing the “old Covenant with the new era unfolding in the kingdom calendar.” Paul says in Romans 9:26 “AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID UNTO THEM, YE ARE NOT MY PEOPLE; THERE SHALL THEY BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF THE LIVING GOD.” We are His children through adoption. Praise-the-Lord!!! I’m thankful along with Beth that “I live this side of Calvary!”
Let’s join in Beth’s prayer: “Lord Jesus, I pray that you will continue equipping us to live in a manner worthy of Your gospel–standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith, and not being frightened in any way by our opponents. For it has been given to us on Your behalf not only to believe in You but also to suffer for You(Phil. 1:27-29). May we do so with perseverance, humility, and eternal gratitiude.” In Jesus name–Amen.
Keeping the Faith,
Aimee
Jeff & Angie 